as in to backfire
to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
the well-meaning gesture boomeranged, since he ended up being offended by it
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Recent Examples of boomerang
The most blatant of those on Sunday was Kelce converting a great opportunity into a play that boomeranged the other way.
—
Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boomerang
Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boomerang
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomerang
Verb
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The play backfired because the Dodgers ran a perfect wheel play, an anachronistic maneuver in a sport in which sacrifice bunting is all but dead.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Although fiber is great for your health, consuming too much too quickly can backfire.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
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Polling data show Jones' support collapsing.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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This drama — a remake of an Oscar-winning Argentine film — flopped mightily upon release, but Roberts was quite compelling in it.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerang. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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